New grads crowd tightening job market

Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2013-5-28 18:42:00

Editor's Note

This year is harder than ever for college grads seeking work as a record number of college graduates are pouring into China’s job market while the number of jobs has dropped by 15 percent compared to just last year. Currently over 70 percent of students graduating this year remain jobless.

China vows to help college grads land jobs
According to a statement released after a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, about 6.99 million college students will graduate this year, adding pressure to the employment situation. The meeting called for efforts to help college graduates find employment, a matter that concerns economic development, the improvement of people's livelihoods and social stability.

Premier promises administrative streamlining to create jobs
Efforts should be made to vigorously develop medium-sized, small and micro businesses by canceling unnecessary administrative approvals, as state-owned enterprises and institutions have limited capacity in providing employment opportunities.

Viewpoints

Media comments:

Graduates must be better prepared - Global Times
A very common problem among Chinese college graduates is that they let their parents make too many decisions on their behalf. Many students study a major picked by their parents, and spend too much time with their heads in books. Thus, when the time to find a job comes, they have no clue about what to do.

Uneven job market reflects inequality in China - People's Daily

Now many new grads want to land a steady civil servant job with all its benefits. But all the competition makes these jobs hard to come by. Therefore, many grads tend to find a proper job through relationships and back door favors.

This struggle shows us the imbalance of social and career development in China. Without offering steady work, a chance at development or even a guarantee to make ends meet, many necessary jobs are unpopular among graduates. Our grads are a treasure, and improper employment guidance could do serious harm to their development, which in turn would be wasting social resources.

Experts say:

Xiong Bingqi, vice director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute:
"It's harder for humanities and social sciences students to find jobs due to the expansion of enrolment."
Ning Jiaying, a high-level career counselor:
"Graduates should not be fixed on salary alone. First land a job, then climb the ladder. Earning 2,400 yuan ($391) a month this year is the average starting salary."

“就业形势” refers to developments in conditions concerning job markets or employment. While literally meaning “employment situation”, “就业形势” is more often translated as “employment” in a broader sense, such as “current employment” or “job market conditions”.
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